The Horizon
All the latest updates on our work defending rural lands, creating livable cities and towns and preserving wild lands and water throughout Central Oregon
Defending National Forests Under Trump 2.0
Jeremy Orr, Director of Litigation and Advocacy Partnerships at Earthjustice from Earthjustice, and attorneys from Crag Law Center and Advocates for the West will join Central Oregon LandWatch to examine the Trump administration’s motivations with regard to national forest management and explain how the environmental justice community is pushing back against questionable, dangerous or illegal moves.
73,000 acres of Ochoco National Forest in question
This past fall, we were concerned to see a series of projects proposing large tree logging across a total of 73,000 acres on the Ochoco National Forest.
Podcast Episode with Dirty FreeHub
Listen to Dirty Freehub's recent podcast episode to hear more about LandWatch's work in the Ochocos. In this episode, Rory Isbell discusses the importance of migration corridors and riparian areas for Redband Trout and elk, along with our recent victory to protect wildlife habitat in the Ochoco National Forest.
Press Release: Victory in the Ochoco National Forest!
On Monday, June 14, a settlement was reached between Central Oregon LandWatch, Oregon Wild, and the U.S. Forest Service to exclude sensitive riparian habitat from a proposed logging project in the Ochoco National Forest.
More time to save our big trees!
There’s still time to comment on the Forest Service’s plan to allow logging of big trees on public lands!
Speak up for big trees!
The Forest Service is moving forward with plans to weaken its rules that protect big trees on all National Forests in Central and Eastern Oregon.
LandWatch fights to protect wildlife habitat in the Ochoco Mountains from another threat
The beloved Ochoco National Forest and its precious habitat for elk, wolves, native fish and other species is once again threatened. Just over one year after Central Oregon LandWatch’s coalition victory in federal court to protect the area, the “Black Mountain” project proposes 22 miles of new roads and damage to riparian habitat without sufficient regard for the species that would be impacted.
ACTION ALERT: Support Oregon's proposed ban on tree-killing herbicide
Because of the irresponsible and destructive use of Bayer’s herbicide along Oregon’s roads and highways, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) recently proposed new rules to ban ACP along public right of ways, in wildlife management areas, and other sensitive habitats.
Success in our case to Protect the Ochocos
In a victory for public lands, wildlife, and native fish, Judge Marco Hernández ruled that the Forest Service failed to satisfy its legal obligation to study the environmental impacts of a major new trail system for off-road vehicles, and to ensure that sensitive habitat for elk, wolves, and native fish are protected.
A Big Win for Threatened Crook County Wildlife
LUBA ruled that Crook County did not adequately consider the effects of their plan on significant wildlife, and in doing so, failed to comply with the law.
New Ally in Fight to Save Ochoco Wildlife
The Oregon Hunters Association filed suit in federal district court to oppose the Forest Service's plan to build a 137-mile off-road vehicle trail system through the heart of elk and deer habitat in the Ochocos.
Central Oregon LandWatch Files Comprehensive Challenge to Defend the Ochoco Mountains
Today, Central Oregon LandWatch filed a detailed challenge to a Forest Service decision to carve up the Ochoco National Forest by creating a 137-miles off-road vehicle (ORV) route system.
Ochoco OHV meeting draws complaints
As Ochoco National Forest officials prepare to finalize a decision setting up an off-highway vehicle trail system, some participants in the process consider suing and complain that a recent meeting did not allow a full discussion of their concerns
Fight for the Ochocos: Objections arise as new trail system is proposed
Since this article was published, LandWatch submitted an official objection to the Ochoco Summit Trail System proposal.
Summer 2016 Hike Series: Lookout Mountain
This will be a beautiful hike with scenic views of Big Summit Prairie and stunning views of the Cascades.
Action Alert: Protect the Ochoco Forest!
The Forest Service has proposed to build more than one hundred miles of motorized trails, covering approximately 165,000 acres in the Ochoco National Forest at a cost of $1.2 million.